(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) - A new effort is beginning in Utah to help the state's older military veterans see the memorials in Washington, D.C., that have been dedicated to their service. The Community Foundation of Utah is helping launch Panoramaland Honor Flight of Utah as part of the national Honor Flight Network. This nonprofit program has helped nearly 100,000 veterans see the World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.

Fraser Nelson, who heads the Community Foundation, said donations help honor the vets for their years of service.

"Giving them the opportunity to see what this nation built in honor of them, and to receive the accolades of the nation through these memorials," Nelson said.

The cost to send a veteran on an Honor Flight is about $700. Donations can be made online through the Utah Community Foundation, www.utahcf.org.

The Honor Flights are a great way to say "thank you" to veterans for their contributions to America, Nelson said. However, she added, time is a critical factor for many World War II vets, who are now in their 80s and 90s - and in some cases, in poor health.

"One of the most compelling parts of the message we're getting out is that these veterans, these World War II veterans, are dying at the rate of about 600 a day, if you can imagine," she warned.

Nelson added that the Community Foundation's goal is to raise enough money to send at least 20 veterans to Washington, D.C., by the end of October.

Information about the Honor Flight Network is available at www.honorflight.org.

(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) - A new effort is beginning in Utah to help the state's older military veterans see the memorials in Washington, D.C., that have been dedicated to their service. The Community Foundation of Utah is helping launch Panoramaland Honor Flight of Utah as part of the national Honor Flight Network. This nonprofit program has helped nearly 100,000 veterans see the World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.

Fraser Nelson, who heads the Community Foundation, said donations help honor the vets for their years of service.

"Giving them the opportunity to see what this nation built in honor of them, and to receive the accolades of the nation through these memorials," Nelson said.

The cost to send a veteran on an Honor Flight is about $700. Donations can be made online through the Utah Community Foundation, www.utahcf.org.

The Honor Flights are a great way to say "thank you" to veterans for their contributions to America, Nelson said. However, she added, time is a critical factor for many World War II vets, who are now in their 80s and 90s - and in some cases, in poor health.

"One of the most compelling parts of the message we're getting out is that these veterans, these World War II veterans, are dying at the rate of about 600 a day, if you can imagine," she warned.

Nelson added that the Community Foundation's goal is to raise enough money to send at least 20 veterans to Washington, D.C., by the end of October.

Information about the Honor Flight Network is available at www.honorflight.org.